ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Cargo transportation on waterways rose from 55.2 mt in 2016 to 72.31 mt in 2018-19
Shri Mansukh Mandaviya says several initiatives taken to increase the use of Inland Waterways and Coastal Shipping for greater Cargo Shipment.
The Minister of State for Shipping  and Chemical & Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed that 111 National Waterways are being developed in phased manner for the purpose of shipping and navigation. The Minister informed that cargo transportation on waterways rose to 72.31 Million Tonnes in the year 2018-19, from 55.20 MT in 2016-17 and 55.03 MT in 2017-18.
The Minister further informed the House that various initiatives have been taken by the Government to increase the use of Inland Waterways and Coastal Shipping for greater cargo shipment. These include providing assured depth of water in the channels, navigation aids like GPS and River Information System, terminals at regular intervals, facilities for mechanized handling of cargo handling etc.
A minimum 40 % discount and priority in berthing is being given to coastal vessels at major ports. Ministry of Fertilizers and Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade have respectively agreed to provide subsidy for transportation of fertilizers and for transportation of raw materials and finished goods for new industrial units in North Eastern Region through IWT mode. Licensing relaxations have been made under section 406 and 407 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 for fertilizers, agricultural products, fisheries, horticultural, and animal husbandry products, empty containers and containers being transhipped from another Indian port, special vessels such as Ro-Ro, Ro-Pax, Project cargo/ODC. Allowing carriage of coastal containers through the territorial waters of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar and streamlining of mechanism for freight subsidy reimbursement for fertilizers are other steps taken in this direction.
Shri Mandavia also informed about the details of funds sanctioned and utilized for the development of waterways in the country during the last three years and the current financial year. The details are as follows:

|
|
Year
|
|
BE
|
|
RE
|
|
Exp
|
|
2016-17
|
|
BE 391.01  EBRs 340.00
|
|
RE 362.01 
EBRs 340.00
|
|
358.41
237.32 
|
|
2017-18
|
|
228.1542 
660.00 
|
|
433.1542 
660.00 
|
|
431.9214 
335.2686 
|
|
2018-19
|
|
480.00 
|
|
862.49 
|
|
862.49 
111.94 
|
|
2019-20
|
|
750.36 
|
|
|
|
167.33 (up to
31.05.2019)
Ministry of Mines
Shri Pralhad Joshi Urges State Governments to Further Strengthen Mining Infrastructure; Offers every Assistance from the Centre
52 Mining Block Reports of GSI handed over to 15 States Governments
5-star rated awards presented for sustainable Mining
Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi said that Ministry of Mines is open to considering further policy reforms to bring about more growth in the mining sector of the country. Addressing the fifth National conclave on Mines and Minerals here today, Minister Shri Joshi said that the Centre can consider more incentives to the State Governments to give morefillip to mining process across the Nation. He urged the State Governments to strengthen available mineral infrastructure for attaining this goal. The Minister pointed out that during the first seven months of this financial year, Odisha Government has generated Rs.10000 Crore through proactive auction process of mines. He added that the focus should be on reducing import of minerals to the very minimum.
During the day-long conclave, Minister Shri Joshi gave away awards to 5-star rated mines for sustainable mining practices and all round performance. In all 149 awards for the last three years have been given away to different public and private sector firms from across the country. Handing over of 52 Geological Survey of India  approved mine blocks to 15 State Governments was one of the major highlights of the National Conclave. The Minister also inaugurated an E-portal of accreditation scheme for Mineral exploration.
Earlier, panel discussions on recent amendments in Mineral Act and rules and presentation by state Government Mining department officials have been held as part of the conclave. GSI has presented a technical session on advanced exploration technology and the on-going strategy for identifying more mineral blocks.
Secretary Ministry of Mines Shri AlokTandon, senior functionaries of the Ministry, GSI,NMET, different PSUs and representatives of State Governments and industrial sector participated in the brain storming sessions.
The first ever national conclave on Mines and Minerals was held at Raipur in 2016. Subsequently similar conclaves have been held annually in Delhi and Indore. At the onset of the Mines and Minerals  Amendment Act, 2015, the regime of auction for grant of mineral concessions has brought about transparency and removed discretion to a great extent. This has not only resulted in substantial increase in the revenue to the State Governments but also brought about paradigm of ‘ease of doing business’ in mining sector.
Ministry of Textiles
Seven Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Parks with an investment of about Rupees 4,500 crore approved to facilitate integrated textile value chain, says the President,
14 key PLI schemes with an outlay of more than Rupees 1 lakh 97 thousand crore to help fully realize the potential of the manufacturing sector,
The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind addresses the joint sitting of two houses of Parliament
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind addressed the joint sitting of two Houses of the Parliament, here today. The President, in his address, highlighted the PM MITRA Parks and various initiatives taken by the Centre to boost the integrated textile value chain.
In his speech, the President said, “Along with developing new areas, my government is restoring our traditional strength in domains in which we possess centuries of experience. In this direction, my government has approved seven Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Parks with an investment of about Rupees 4,500 crore. This will facilitate integrated textile value chain. These mega textile parks will attract both Indian and foreign investors, and create lakhs of new employment opportunities”.
Referring to the 14 key PLI schemes with an outlay of more than Rupees 1 lakh 97 thousand crore launched by the Government to fully realize the potential of the manufacturing sector and to create new opportunities for the youth, the President said these PLI schemes will not only help transform India as a global manufacturing hub but also create over 60 lakh jobs.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Overall Air Quality in Delhi-NCR improving trend continues
Delhi registers its best ever average air quality for the period between January – August 2023 during the last 8 years 
January-August in 2023 has recorded daily average PM2.5 concentrations of about 77 µgm/m3 as against ranging from 85-97 µgm/m3 during the corresponding periods from 2017 to 2022 
The improving trend in the overall air quality in Delhi-NCR continues and for the period between January – August during the year, Delhi registers its best ever average air quality during the last 8 years i.e., from 2016 to 2023 .
The daily avg. AQI for Delhi during the above noted period during the current year has been recorded as 174 as against 194 in 2022, 192 in 2021, 147 in 2020, 199 in 2019, 203 in 2018, 203 in 2017 and 236 in 2016 respectively, during the corresponding period.
An overall daily average AQI level of below 200 for the period from January ‑ August has been observed only during 2021 onwards, with the lowest being 174 in 2023 .
AQI is greatly impacted by the levels of rainfall/ precipitation and wind speed. The month of August 2023 has been one of the driest, with a rain deficit of about 30% over the normal in the entire country and a significant deficit also in Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan of more than 50% over normal. Strong dust storm activities occurred during 26th and 28th August also led to transient increase in PM10 concentrations. Despite this scenario, the daily average AQI for all 31 days in the month of August remained in “Satisfactory - Moderate” air quality category.
Delhi witnessed highest number of days  with “Good” to “Moderate” air quality  during January – August 2023 as compared to the corresponding period for last 5 years .
“Good” to “Moderate” air quality days during this period in the previous years were only 116 in 2022, 144 in 2021, 135 in 2019 and 123 in 2018 respectively.
This period in 2023 has also witnessed a remarkable reduction in daily avg. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations over the last 6 years.
The period during January-August in 2023 has recorded daily average PM2.5 concentrations of about 77 µgm/m3 as against ranging from 85-97 µgm/m3 during the corresponding periods from 2017 to 2022 .
Likewise, the daily average PM10 concentration in Delhi has been about 176 µgm/m3, which is remarkably lower than a range of 201-226 µgm/m3 during the corresponding periods from 2017 to 2022 .
Favourable meteorological conditions, continual ground level efforts, actions by various stakeholder agencies to abate air pollution and ongoing monitoring and enforcement actions have helped to better air quality during 2023.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
DARPG’s Initiatives for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh desired an official delegation from Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances , Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions may visit Srinagar to discuss the Department’s Initiatives for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for firming up the road map ahead. Accordingly, the DARPG delegation led by Shri V. Srinivas, Additional Secretary, DARPG and comprising of Shri V. Shashank Shekhar, Joint Secretary and other senior officials from DARPG, Department of Pensions & Pensioners Welfare, National Centre for Good Governance and National Informatics Centre visited J&K on September, 4-5, 2019.
Various issues identified by DARPG as part of initiatives for the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were discussed which included digitisation of files, Implementation of e-office in the Secretariat to create a less paper Secretariat, collaboration between J&K Institute of Public Administration and National Centre for Good Governance, a State level seminar on e-gov., training programmes for officials and field functionaries, projects to be taken under Sate Collaboration Initiative programme of DARPG.
DARPG delegation held meetings with the Chief Secretary Jammu & Kashmir and senior officials including Secretaries of Personnel, Training, Information Technology, Planning, Health and Education.
As a follow up measure, a team led by Shri V. Shashank Shekhar, JS  made a 2nd visit to J&K on 20th -21st September, 2019. During the follow up visit decisions/discussions were held with J&K officers to implement the aforementioned J&K issues effectively. It was discussed that J&K Govt. has a robust Public Grievances redressal System. This could be integrated with Central Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System .
During the 2nd visit, discussions were also held with various officials including Secretary Rural Development & Panchayati Raj regarding training for Self Help Groups , with Secretary Art & Culture, Department of J&K regarding various projects which can be taken up to increase awareness within and outside J&K about its rich culture and heritage. Discussions were also held with Principal Secretary, IT regarding the digitization project.
The team also met Advisor to Governor, Shri Vijay Kumar and discussed various aspects including strengthening disaster relief measures.
DARPG is further following up these matters in coordination with the Government of J&K.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves closure of Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved closure of the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana  which was set up in 2012 to address the social security-related issues of the Emigration Check Required -category workers going abroad for employment to ECR countries.
The subscription under the MGPSY was very low and no new subscription was received for more than a year. Closure of the scheme will, therefore, obviate the avoidable recurring administrative and record-keeping expenditure.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
NCW Launches Anti-Human Trafficking Cell
Cell To Improve Effectiveness In Tackling Human Trafficking Cases& Enhance Capacity Building& Training Of Anti Trafficking Units
Cell To Also Help Survivors Of Trafficking In Rebuilding Their Lives&Raise Awareness Among Women & Girls
The National Commission for Women launched an Anti-Human Trafficking Cell today to improve effectiveness in tackling cases of human trafficking, raising awareness among women and girls, capacity building and training of Anti Trafficking Units and to increase responsiveness of law enforcement agencies.
The Cell has been set up with an aim of increasing awareness among law enforcement officials and to facilitate their capacity building. The Cell will conduct Gender Sensitization Trainings and Workshops in combating human trafficking for police officers and for prosecutors at regional, state and district level. The complaints related to human trafficking received by the Commission will be addressed by this cell.
The Commission has observed that some of the major issues faced in combating trafficking include lack of rehabilitation for victims and insensitive attitude towards trafficked survivors and their families. Therefore, the Cell will improve monitoring mechanism and encourage government agencies regarding measures being adopted for prevention of trafficking and rehabilitation of victims.
The Cell will also help survivors of trafficking in rebuilding their lives by providing them with need-based training and by organizing capacity building programs for them to prevent re-traumatization of victims.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves creation of the National Bench of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal 
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the creation of National Bench of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal .
The National Bench of the Appellate Tribunal shall be situated at New Delhi. GSTAT shall be presided over by its President and shall consist of one Technical Member  and one Technical Member .
The creation of the National Bench of the GSTAT would amount to one time expenditure of Rs.92.50 lakh while the recurring expenditure would be Rs.6.86 crore per annum.
Details:
Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal is the forum of second appeal in GST laws and the first common forum of dispute resolution between Centre and States. The appeals against the orders in first appeals issued by the Appellate Authorities under the Central and State GST Acts lie before the GST Appellate Tribunal, which is common under the Central as well as State GST Acts. Being a common forum, GST Appellate Tribunal will ensure that there is uniformity in redressal of disputes arising under GST, and therefore, in implementation of GST across the country.
Chapter XVIII of the CGST Act provides for the Appeal and Review Mechanism for dispute resolution under the GST Regime. Section 109 of this Chapter under CGST Act empowers the Central Government to constitute, on the recommendation of Council, by notification, with effect from such date as may be specified therein, an Appellate Tribunal known as the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal for hearing appeals against the orders passed by the Appellate Authority or the Revisional Authority.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
54th Network Planning Group Meeting under PM GatiShakti recommends four infrastructure projects
Two Roadways projects and two Railways projects at a cost of more than Rs. 7600 crore assessed
The 54th Network Planning Group  meeting chaired by Special Secretary, Logistics, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade , Smt. Sumita Dawra was held yesterday in New Delhi. The meeting saw active participation from member Departments and Ministries of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Ministry of Power. During the meeting, two projects of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and two projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total cost of Rs 7, 693.17 crore were assessed.
Smt. Dawra stressed upon the importance of utilising the GatiShakti National Master Plan portal and adopting the 'whole of government' approach for infrastructure planning and execution. She emphasized upon the critical importance of the projects in terms of connectivity to economic and social nodes of the area and accentuated on following an Area Development Approach.
NPG examined four-lane Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road , under Bharatmala Pariyojana, in Kerala worth Rs 4,767.20 Crore. This project corridor is a part of Mumbai-Kanyakumari Economic Corridor. The project is essential to provide smooth and faster connectivity to Eastern Region from Northern Region and will boost the economic growth in economically backward regions. The project will reduce travel time, save vehicle operation cost, and will provide last-mile connectivity to the new international sea port in Vizhinjam.
Another road project, Dahod-Bodeli-Vapi Corridor with a project outlay of Rs 1,179.33 Crore was assessed by the NPG. The project road starts at the junction of the new Vadodara-Delhi Expressway and ends at post Mumbai-Vadodara expressway. It forms an important connectivity with Bodeli, Devaliya, Rajpipla, Netrang, Vyara, Dharampur, Vapi and further Southwards to Mumbai via Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway under implementation. The project will improve road network, benefiting the local people by reducing travel time, travel distance as well as transportation cost. It will also boost socio-economic development and tourism along the project road.
NPG also deliberated on a new broad gauge railway Line between Pushkar – Merta in Rajasthan with a project cost of Rs 799.64 Crores. The proposed new line will provide direct connectivity from Central India to Northern India as well as to Western border. Further, it will decongest and reduce pressure on Highways.
Another rail project in Rajasthan, a new broad-gauge line between Merta City-Ras Railway Stations worth Rs 947 Crore was assessed by the NPG. The project holds significant importance in facilitating quicker movement of goods and promoting industrial and overall development in the region encompassing Pali and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
913 new cases reported in last 24 hours; less than 1,000 after 715 days
Daily COVID Deaths less than 10 today
Over 1.86 Cr vaccine doses administered for age group 12-14 years
In a significant development, following a continuous downward trend, India’s Active Caseload  today has declined to less than 13,000 mark after 714 days. Active cases now constitute 0.03% of the country's total Positive Cases. The caseload was 12,974 Active Cases on 18th April 2020.
In another significant development, India’s daily new cases reported today  have also declined below 1,000 mark after 715 days. Daily new COVID cases were 991 on 18th April 2020.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.76%. 1,316 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,24,95,089. Daily deaths reported are less than 10 today.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 3,14,823 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 79.10 Cr  cumulative tests.
There has been a sustained fall in the weekly and daily Positivity Rates too. Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.22% and the Daily Positivity rate is also reported to be 0.29%.
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 184.70 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,21,87,532 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 1.86 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10403809
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10001647
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4483046
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18413439
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17513757
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6915586
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18639260
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
57333277
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
38548306
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
554759695
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
467231694
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202775699
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
185636455
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126757912
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
115626977
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
12042720
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,34,41,352
|
|
Total
|
|
1,84,70,83,279
President's Secretariat
Press Communiqué
At a ceremony held today  at 1030 hrs in the Ashoka Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Shri Girish Chandra Murmu was sworn in as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. He made and subscribed to the oath of office before the President.
Shri Girish Chandra Murmu will have a tenure upto 20.11.2024.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
28 States/ UTs start lifting food grains from Food Corporation of India depots for distribution under PMGKAY-III
5.88 LMT food grains supplied for further distribution to more than 80 crore beneficiaries
States/UTs advised to encourage migrant NFSA beneficiaries for using the facility of portability under One Nation One Ration Card plan
With an allocation of Rs 26000 crore, Free food grains to States/UTs for distribution to beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana 
Lakshadweep lifts complete allocation for May-June month, whereas Andhra Pradesh & Telangana lifts 100 % of May allocation under the scheme
In pursuant to the announcement of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana  by Prime Minister, to ameliorate the hardships faced by the poor and needy due to various disruptions caused by the resurgence of COVID-19 in the country, the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India has started implementation of the Scheme for a period of 2 months i.e. May and June 2021, so that the poor and vulnerable beneficiaries under NFSA do not suffer on account of the non-availability of foodgrains during the unprecedented time of crisis.
Food Corporation of India has already positioned sufficient food grains in all States/ UTs for successful implementation of the scheme and started supplying food grains to States/UTs Governments. Till 3rd May, 2021, 28 States/ UTs have started lifting from FCI depots and 5.88 LMT food grains have been supplied for further distribution to beneficiaries. Lakshadweep has completely lifted May -June allocation whereas Andhra Pradesh & Telangana have already lifted 100 percent of May allocation.
Rest of the States/ UTs  have also been sensitized to immediately start the lifting under the said scheme and the same is likely to be accelerated in coming days.
The States/UTs have also been advised to encourage migrant NFSA beneficiaries for using the facility of portability under One Nation One Ration Card plan.
The Government of India will bear the entire cost on implementation of PMGKAY  scheme, without any sharing by States/UTs.
Under this special scheme, about 80 Crore NFSA beneficiaries covered under both categories of NFSA, namely Antyodaya Anna Yojana  and Priority Households , are being provided with an additional quota of free-of-cost foodgrains  at a scale of 5 Kg per person per month, over and above their regular monthly entitlements.